14 DAY TRIAL // Carrier billing is a feature that allows users to purchase apps, games, music, and movies on Windows 10 devices without a credit card or PayPal, with all charges going straight to their mobile operator account.
Previously available in the United States exclusively, Microsoft’s support for carrier billing is available in the United Kingdom and Italy, thanks to a partnership between the software giant and Boku.
As a result, Windows 10 users who are also customers of O2 in the UK and of Wind in Italy can purchase content from the store using this new method, after previously configuring direct carrier billing as the default payment method in the Windows Store.
Carrier billing becoming super popular
Obviously, both Microsoft and Boku, which is a direct carrier billing mobile payments company that’s working with the majority of mobile operators across the world, are pleased with the partnership, saying that OS app stores are becoming an important source of money for all companies involved, mostly because users find it super easy to purchase apps using carrier billing.
“In a matter of months, our agreement with Microsoft has expanded from one major developed market to five, and covers all Windows 10 devices; from phones and tablets, to desktop computers. This rapid expansion, with much more to come, is proof positive that carrier billing is becoming the world’s preferred alternative payment, regardless of consumer access to credit or bank cards,” Jon Prideaux, CEO of Boku, said in a press release (which you can read in full in the box after the jump).
Microsoft hasn’t said whether it plans to release carrier billing in other countries too, but given the fact that the company is looking into ways to make it easier for users to purchase content from the store no matter where they live, similar partnerships are very likely in the coming months. For the moment, however, the traditional buying methods continue to be available in the rest of the countries.